1930 Minerva AL Convertible Sedan

The Minerva motor car was a favorite of the royal families where its elegance and durability assured a faithful clientele. Minerva began making automobiles in 1902. From 1910 all were equipped with the Knight double sleeve-valve engine, prized by luxury automakers for its silence, smoothness, and flexibility. Although the cars were relatively heavy, they could reach a speed of 70 mph. The Minerva was of similar quality as the Rolls-Royce but was slightly less expensive. Minerva models were supplied with very sturdy and stylish bodies characterized by long hoods and fine proportions.

With the financial crisis in the 1930s, the company was restructured as Société Nouvelle Minerva but in 1934, merged with the other major Belgian manufacturer Imperia. Imperia continued to make Minervas for a year and from 1937 badged some of their cars and trucks for export to England and France as Minerva-Imperias.

This car was recently found after having been put away in 1959. It wears coachwork by Hibbard & Darrin, two American designers who had operated the Minerva agency in Paris in the early 1920s. By 1926, Thomas Hibbard and Howard A. Darrin moved into body design, creating bodies for marques such as Duesenberg, Rolls-Royce, and Hispano-Suiza. The Minerva's large 149.5-inch wheelbase provided an ample stage for Hibbard & Darrin to showcase their talents.

This Minerva features a dual-windshield, three-position top, and B-pillar surrounding trapezoidal side windows.

This car's first recorded owner was Webster Woodmansee of Wisconsin. In the 1940s, it was listed for sale and purchased by Edwin Winter Mead of Norfolk, Connecticut, in July 1948. In December of 1959, John W. 'Hawkeye' Hawkinson put a down payment on the car, with the balance to be paid over time. After every few payments he made, Hawkeye would remove a part from the car (such as a radiator mascot, clock, etc.). The final payment was made in 1974, and Hawkeye finally took possession of the remaining vehicle. It would remain with him until his passing in 2016.

It was removed from storage in 2017 with 62,310 miles on its odometer. While in the current owner's care, its sleeve-valve straight-six engine was returned to running status. The car's exterior color scheme of straw tan with green trim is thought to be original. There is green leather in the driver's compartment with tan cloth in the rear. The car has its original owner's manual and tool kit.